Sandra‘s Closet

The Art of Radiance – Discovering Clé de Peau Beauté Key Radiance Care

There’s something almost magical about this skincare that doesn’t just treat your skin but awakens it that I would like to share with you today. Experiencing Clé de Peau Beauté’s signature Key Radiance Care ritual is a journey that transforms skincare into art. Every texture, every step, every touch is designed to bring light back to the skin. I was able to try everything first hand during a beautiful event at Globus Zurich where the products are available.

Step 1: The Purity Ritual

The experience begins with a two-step cleansing ritual, delicate, refined, and deeply sensory.
Watching the creamy foam being whipped to perfection in a porcelain bowl and applied with a soft brush felt like a ceremony. It’s not just about cleansing; it’s about preparing the skin to receive radiance.

Step 2: The Essential 3-Step Routine

Next comes the heart of Clé de Peau Beauté’s philosophy: Key Radiance Care – The Serum, the Hydro-Softening Lotion, and the Cream.
Each product works in harmony to awaken, balance, and seal in hydration. The skin feels instantly smoother, refreshed, and quietly luminous, that signature «Clé de Peau glow.» (If you interested in the full procedure, I invite you to visit this previous blog post here).

Step 3: The Details That Make a Difference

The Eye Cream, applied with the platinum massage tool, turns skincare into mindfulness.
Gentle pressure points release tension, and the skin around the eyes looks lifted and bright.
For mature skin, the Supreme Line takes luxury even further: The Cream, an iconic anti-aging masterpiece, and The Precious Gold Vitality Serum, infused with 24K gold and diamond powder, give tired skin an extraordinary boost of vitality and light.

The extra treat: The Precious Gold Vitality Mask – A Moment of Pure Illumination

There’s a certain magic in a mask that feels like liquid gold.
The Precious Gold Vitality Mask is exactly that, a sensorial experience that merges science and indulgence.
Infused with 24K gold, this luxurious treatment energizes and revitalizes the skin, instantly revealing a renewed radiance.
Its texture is smooth and comforting, enveloping the skin in warmth and light.
In just a few minutes, the complexion appears more awake, more even, and visibly illuminated as if it has captured the glow of the sun itself.

Step 4: Preparing the Canvas

No radiant complexion is complete without protection.
The UV Protective Cream forms the essential bridge between skincare and makeup, followed by the brand’s signature foundations, whether Radiant, Natural, or Matte, depending on your desired finish. My favorite is Le Fond de Teint Foundation that is blending makeup and skincare. Use this foundation instead of your daily moisturizer. It instantly blurs imperfections and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a radiant finish.

Step 5: Complete the Ritual

A touch of color, a whisper of glow, and the legendary Luminizing Face Enhancer, available in different color ways, that is the final, unmistakable Clé de Peau finish.

This isn’t just skincare; it’s a philosophy of light, texture, and transformation.
Clé de Peau Beauté doesn’t promise quick fixes, it teaches your skin to glow from within.
Five minutes, one ritual, infinite radiance.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

On the second day of the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh, I wore one of my favorite looks from this trip, a beautifully balanced outfit that blends Western sophistication with Middle Eastern elegance. The centerpiece was a graceful head scarf, styled in a way that felt both culturally respectful and effortlessly chic.

There was something powerful about walking through Riyadh dressed in a look that carried elements of two worlds I love. The tailored lines and modern silhouette spoke to my Western side, while the textures, colors, and the way the scarf framed my face echoed the timeless beauty of Middle Eastern style.

This outfit wasn’t just fashion, it was a reflection of connection. A way of honoring the culture around me while staying true to my own aesthetic. And in that moment, surrounded by inspiring women from across the globe, it felt like the perfect expression of who I was that day: confident, curious, and beautifully in between.

My look: Belted crystal-embellished crepe kaftan with headscarf by Simkhai, bi-color heart-shaped earrings by Alessandra Rich, Farrah leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent, and Roman Stud quilted leather shoulder bag by Valentino.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Aiman Fekri @aiman.ph
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Riyadh is a city where the past and present live side by side, but nowhere is this harmony more beautifully expressed than at Najd Village. Invited by my friend, the Vice Governor of Space, I stepped into a world where time slows, textures soften, and traditions take center stage.

Najd Village is not merely a restaurant, it’s a curated ode to Najdi culture, a tribute to the historic Najdi architecture of central Saudi Arabia. Earthen walls, sculpted wooden doors, and amber-toned lanterns cast a warm glow over intimate rooms designed for floor seating. It’s an experience that blends heritage with understated luxury.

After a brief detour into one of the men-only areas – an innocent cultural misstep I quickly corrected – we settled into our private room. Cushions and woven carpets created an atmosphere that felt both grounding and indulgent.

Cardamom tea as a welcome drink as alcohol is forbidden in Saudi Arabia.

The menu was a revelation. Fragrant spices, slow-cooked stews, and my very first taste of camel delivered a culinary narrative rich with history and character. It was a meal served not just with expertise, but with soul.

And of course, fashion is never far from my mind. Sitting on the floor introduces its own sartorial considerations, ones I embraced fully. I’ll be sharing the outfit soon: comfortable, elegant, and completely floor-seating approved.

LoL, Sandra

Entry to one of the private rooms.

A very special culinary experience.

Inside Najd Village.

You can find beautiful details everywhere.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Creative Women Forum 2025
Empower • Engage • Sustain

Three Days of Creative Power, Insight and Connection in Riyadh

From November 4th to 6th, I had the privilege of attending, and speaking at, the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 in Riyadh. Under the powerful theme Empower • Engage • Sustain, the event brought together extraordinary women from around the world to exchange ideas, elevate creativity and shape new visions for the future.

I had the pleasure of meeting the first inspiring ladies already on November 3rd, right after my arrival, during the Welcome Dinner at the beautiful Jareed Hotel, a warm and promising start to an unforgettable week.

What unfolded was far more than a conference, it felt like a movement, a community and a celebration of women’s leadership across disciplines.

A Royal Patron & A Historic Setting

The forum opened with inspiring words from Her Royal Highness Princess Noura Bint Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the patron of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025.

Her presence set the tone for the days ahead: confident, purposeful and deeply committed to elevating the role of women in the creative economy of Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The setting made it even more powerful: the Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the largest women’s university in the world. Standing in a space built entirely for women’s learning and leadership was impactful and symbolic, the perfect place for this gathering.

A Stunning Art Experience

One of the highlights for me was the remarkable art exhibition curated as part of the forum. The works, bold, emotional, innovative, showcased the depth, vision and courage of artists from Saudi Arabia and across the region.

Floral camouflage in front of the artwork «Fiori» by Sofia Cacciapaglia

It was a reminder that art is not only a reflection of culture, but also one of its strongest engines of transformation.

The Visionaries Behind the Forum

None of this would have been possible without the remarkable women who built the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 with passion, dedication and a deep belief in women’s creative power.

At the heart of it stands
Olga Balakleets, Founder & CEO of the Creative Women Platform,
a visionary who has spent years creating global spaces where women can exchange ideas, uplift one another and spark meaningful change.

Alongside her,
Rebeca Riofrio, Executive Director of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Edition 2025,
played a crucial role in crafting this year’s edition in Riyadh. Together with her team, she created an experience that was thoughtful, inspiring, seamless and deeply empowering.

Their dedication, often behind the scenes, is what transformed the forum into the world-class platform it has become.

My Panel: Creativity, Futurism & Sustainability

I had the honour of speaking on a panel guided by futurist and filmmaker Maxim Jago, alongside four exceptional women, each contributing her own perspective on creativity and the future:
• Prathibha Prahlad – Founder Chairperson of the Prasiddha Foundation & the Forum for Art Beyond Borders; Founder & Festival Director of the Delhi International Arts Festival
• Yasmeen Gailani – Deputy Director, MENA & Middle East Specialist at Sotheby’s
• Martha Fiennes – Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Director and Digital Artist
• Norah Alkhursany – Head of Strategic Partnerships, Oil Sustainability Program (OSP)

This diversity made our conversation deeply enriching, spanning performing arts, fine art valuation, digital storytelling, sustainability in energy, and the cultural language of fashion.

When Maxim asked about universal and timeless themes in fashion and creative expression, I shared what I deeply believe:

«Fashion always moves between two forces: change and continuity.
What remains timeless is the human desire to express identity through beauty.
What evolves is the way we choose to express it.»

I then spoke about the profound shift happening within the luxury world and summed it up in a sentence that has become a personal mantra:

«Sustainability is the new black, but only creativity makes it chic.»

For me, this is the essence of where our industry is heading: sustainability as the new baseline, the must-have, and creativity as the force that makes responsible choices desirable, beautiful and emotionally relevant.

I explained how creativity bridges the past and the future:

«Creativity is what makes sustainability desirable.
People don’t change because they are pressured, 
they change because they fall in love with a new idea.»

For me, the future of fashion lives precisely at this intersection:
where beauty meets purpose, where innovation honours heritage, where responsibility becomes part of the aesthetic.

Insights I Will Carry With Me

Creativity • Resilience • Emotional Intelligence

One panel reminded us of a key World Economic Forum insight:
these are the three most essential skills of the future.
Hearing this surrounded by visionary women felt like a collective affirmation.

Pleasure vs Happiness

Ida Beerhalter shared a powerful neurological insight:

High dopamine can suppress serotonin,
a reminder not to confuse pleasure with true happiness.

It was a scientific reflection of something deeply human:
short-term rewards often overshadow long-term fulfilment.

Fear Is Not a Strategy

Another perspective stayed with me:

«Fear is never a good advisor.
In investment, and in life, emotional regulation matters.
Sometimes the wisest decision is to pause.»

A timeless lesson, and one that resonated with the entire room.

Gala Night at the National Museum

The forum concluded with a magical gala evening at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia. Surrounded by culture, heritage and the warmest hospitality, we celebrated creativity, community and the power of women shaping the future.

It was a night filled with beauty, conversation, music and elegance, the perfect finale.

A Personal Journey Beyond the Forum

I stayed a little longer in Riyadh, reconnecting with friends and exploring the city’s vibrant mix of tradition and modernity. Every visit reveals something new, and this one was filled with warmth, inspiration and meaningful encounters.

Amazing woman: Adria L. Dunn who launched the global impact foundation, The Vine.

What I Take Home

If I had to capture the essence of these three days, it would be this:

Creativity is our most renewable resource.
When women are empowered, engaged and committed to sustaining change,
the future becomes not only more innovative but more beautiful and more human.

Thank you, Riyadh.
Thank you to every inspiring woman I met.
And thank you to the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 for creating a space where stories, ideas and visions can grow.

LoL, Sandra

We had a lot of fun together: Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, who just launched her liquor brand Generation.

Such an inspiring woman and a fellow aquarius: Martha Fiennes.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Aiman Fekri @aiman.ph
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

Under the fading full moon, I had the pleasure of attending the Gala Night of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 at the National Museum in Riyadh, a truly enchanting evening that felt straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. For this special occasion, I chose an outfit from Taller Marmo, a brand that perfectly embodies modern sophistication with a touch of timeless Middle Eastern allure. Surrounded by inspiring women, art, and culture, the night shimmered with creativity, beauty, and elegance.

My look: Suratt fil coupé kaftan by Taller Marmo, Torchon gold-tone crystal clip earrings by Alessandra Rich, Angel leather platform sandals by Gucci, black shimmering scarf by Moschino, and velvet strass evening flap bag in black and gold by CHANEL.

Stay tuned for so much more coming up from my recent trip to Saudi Arabia.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Aiman Fekri @aiman.ph
The photos of my outfit were taken before the event at the Jareed Hotel.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

The defining knit dress. An instant outfit solution. This season’s knitwear goes beyond cozy, think silhouettes that deliver polish and ease. Here is the outfit that I wore to the Lanvin S/S 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week in October.

My look: Embellished draped wool-blend turtleneck midi dress, vintage fringed bag in python leather, and vintage Gloria resin, Swarovski pearl and crystal necklace, all by Lanvin, Lisa square-frame metal sunglasses, and black suede booties, both by Saint Laurent, «L’AMOUR D’UN GITAN» hat by Jacquemus.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Erika Kostialova
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

A New Chapter of CHANEL Chance: Eau Splendide Eau de Parfum

Sometimes, a fragrance arrives and instantly rewrites your olfactory memory. CHANCE EAU SPLENDIDE by CHANEL is exactly that. I recently had the pleasure of receiving an enchanting press box from CHANEL, complete with a vintage-inspired record player that set the perfect tone for this new chapter in the CHANCE universe.

CHANCE EAU SPLENDIDE is vibrant, joyful, and full of contrast, a radiant blend of freshness, softness, and unexpected character. The first one in the CHANCE family with a fruity note. It opens with a juicy raspberry accord, layered with red fruits, a hint of rose and violet, and a soft, velvety nuance that adds roundness and warmth, a subtle nod to the creamy sweetness found in nature’s ripest fruit. In the heart, the fragrance reveals the cool, green facets of mint and geranium, enriched with a powdery touch of iris. The base settles into an elegant, comforting blend of cedarwood and white musk, leaving a sensual and quietly confident trail.

Masterfully composed by Olivier Polge, CHANEL’s in-house perfumer, this Eau de Parfum is a celebration of chance, spontaneous, bold, and unmistakably feminine.

The record player included in the press kit wasn’t just a nod to vintage elegance, it was a beautiful metaphor. Just like putting on a vinyl record, wearing EAU SPLENDIDE is a ritual, an experience. It slows you down, draws you in, and surrounds you with emotion.

I created a reel to share the unboxing and the feeling this scent evokes. I hope you can feel the joy, the elegance, and that little sparkle of magic that only CHANEL can create.

CHANCE EAU SPLENDIDE Eau de Parfum Vaporisateur 50 ml CHF 146.-
CHANCE EAU SPLENDIDE Eau de Parfum Vaporisateur 100 ml CHF 203.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise! #ChanceEauSplendide  #CHANELFragrance @chanelofficial  @chanel.beauty